Adjusting of SAG

Picture 3: Measure the distance between rubber ring and top of the stanchion tube

Picture 4: Undo the cap to adjust air pressure

Picture 5: Move the rubber ring downwards

Picture 6: Measure the distance between rubber ring and the end of the stanchion tube

Picture 7: Remove cap to adjust air pressure

Picture 8: Setting the SAG Monitor

Sag is the amount of compression travel that is achieved when man sits on the bike. This Sag or negative travel as it is also called is essential for the performance of the suspension because it guarantees traction and suspension comfort. If you ride through a hole in the ground, the wheel can rebound and absorb the shock.

If the Sag is too low, then the suspension is adjusted too hard and you won’t be able to use the entire travel. If it on the other hand is too high, then the suspension will be too soft and will bottom out. This is how you adjust your Sag.

Adjusting Sag

1. The basis for adjusting the Sag is the travel of both suspension elements. The amount of travel can be found at here in the Supportcenter or it is indicated on the relevant shock or in your bike instruction manual.

2. First push the rubber ring on the shock piston as far up as it will go as shown. Picture 1

3. Now sit carefully on the saddle and take up your usual position on the saddle. You feet should not come into contact with the ground. The shock now compresses and pushes the rubber ring downwards. Picture 2

TIP: When measuring Sag, dress as you would when you go for a ride. If you ride with a rucksack, then don’t forget to put it on because the total overall weight of rider and equipment is crucial when measuring the Sag.

4. When getting off the bike make sure that the shock doesn’t rebound more than necessary by getting off carefully. The best thing to do is let yourself drop sideways and support yourself with one leg. Now you can get off carefully.

5. Now you can measure the Sag, i.e. the distance from the shock body to the rubber ring as shown. Picture 3 depending on your riding style, bike category and personal taste the Sag should make up around 15% (race, marathon), 30% (downhill) of the entire travel, the exception to this is the 2013 Strive which we would also suggest 15%. You can easily calculate this value using the travel and Sag measurement. Sag multiplied by 100 and then divided by travel.

6. If the Sag is too low, you’ll need to let a little air out of the shock. If the Sag is too great, you’ll need to pump it up a little. Picture 4 Use the appropriate fork and shock pump.

Tip: When unscrewing the valve on the fork pump, a pressure loss of up to 1 bar is possible. Unscrew the pump valve quickly after inflation so that as little pressure as possible is lost.

Repeat steps 2 to 6 until the correct Sag is adjusted.

6. Now it is the turn of the fork. You do exactly the same thing as with the shock.

8. Sit down on the bike again, raise your feet and lean against a wall. Do this with your cycling clothes on.

9. Now you can measure the Sag here too Picture 6 and if required, correct the Sag using air pressure. Picture 7 Use the appropriate fork and shock pump. On many Rock Shox forks the Sag is already marked on the fork as a percentage and can be read off directly.
In the case of suspension elements with steel springs you can change the spring pre-load and spring hardness in order to adjust the Sag. In the case of Rock Shox Dual Air forks the Sag becomes greater, the less air is pumped into the positive air chamber.

The Sag should be adjusted if the weight of the rider changes dramatically, for example due to a heavy rucksack. The platform or the lockout should be open when doing Sag adjustments.

After you have adjusted the Sag you can perform further adjustments on the suspension elements such as rebound, compression, ProPedal and Platform.

Adjusting Sag with the Sag monitor

Canyon Torque models are fitted with a Sag Monitor. You can determine the Sag easily with this dial.

The Sag Monitor dial remains in the position at the shock’s lowest point of compression. In order to put the dial back to zero, you turn the dial back in a clockwise direction. You will need to apply a little pressure to turn the dial. Picture 8

Thanks to the Sag Monitor the adjustment of negative travel is both precise and easy to do. A drag indicator on the rocker arm pivot clearly shows the amount of Sag for the various areas of use. The system also has a further advantage. After a downhill ride it is possible to read off from the dial the maximum amount of travel used.

These jobs are easy for anyone interested in cycling. For this workshop the user either doesn’t need any tools at all, or he only requires standard tools such as Allen keys, pliers or screw drivers. In this category you’ll find above all how to perform adjustments to your bike

Spring elements must not bottom out. Always mind the maximum and minimum air pressure of the spring elements.

Disclaimer of liabilityCanyon consistently strives to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this Technical Support Center. Any repairs or adjustments which you carry out on your bike are entirely at your own risk. If you are in any doubt about what to do, you should send your bike to Canyon or take it to another qualified repair specialist. Canyon gives no guarantee or accepts no liability for the any of the information contained in this Technical Support Center.